Ikea issues dresser recall reminder after eighth child death

Ikea has announced a recall of about 17.3 million dressers after an eighth child died when one of the units toppled over and trapped him. Photo courtesy of Ikea

Nov. 21 (UPI) -- Ikea reannounced a recall of some of its dressers after an eighth child was killed when one of the items toppled over.

The reminder of the dresser recall follows the most recent death in May, when a 2-year-old boy in California was trapped under a MALM 3-drawer chest that tipped over.

Seven other children, aged 20 months to 3 years old, have been killed by falling Ikea dressers.

"Ikea has received 186 reports of tip-over incidents involving the MALM chests and dressers, including 91 reports of injuries to children. In addition, Ikea has received 113 reports of tip-overs with other recalled Ikea chests and dressers, including 53 reports of injuries to children," the company said

The furniture retailer encouraged customers to immediately stop using the MALM 3-drawer, 4-drawer, 5-drawer and three 6-drawer, and other recalled adult and children's dressers, stating they are unstable if not properly anchored to the wall.

"Consumers should immediately stop using any recalled chest or dresser that is not properly anchored to the wall and place it in an area that children cannot access," the company said in a statement.

The recall affects about 17.3 million dressers and Ikea has offered customers a choice between a refund for the recalled dressers or a free wall-anchoring kit.

"Ikea will pick up the recalled dressers free of charge or provide a one-time, free in-home wall-anchoring service for consumers upon request," the company said.